2026 RSPA Intermountain Winter Edition by RSPA

Racquet Sports Professionals Association Intermountain Newsletter

Mark your calendar for the RSPA Intermountain Annual Virtual Conference February 17-19, 2026.

Presentations are designed to help you elevate your career. We’re thrilled to feature former WTA No. 4 Zina Garrison, Dr Sheila Ohlsson Walker and Dr Jim Loehr as this year’s headliners Annual Awards will also be announced

Sessions:

Zina Garrison’s Journey - From McGregor Park to the Wimbledon Final moderated by Mats Wilander & Andy Zodin Wise decisions - A Science-Based Approach To Making Better Choices with Dr Sheila Ohlsson Walker & Dr Jim Loehr How and What We Should Coach Based on Analytics - Craig O’Shannessey State of affairs from RSPA headquarters News from and collaborations with USTA Intermountain

Annual Awards Presentation

Junior Tennis - Engaging Juniors in Tennis at All Levels

Racquet Sports are Booming! Pickleball, Padel, and Platform Panel

Racquet Sport Influencers Panel

General Manager Panel

Meet the Racquet Sports Professionals Association

Intermountain 2026 Board of Directors

MATT HELM - PRESIDENT

I serve on the RSPA Board because I want to strengthen and support the organization that has impacted my tennis career in such a positive and influencing way

PEG CONNOR - TREASURER

I'm excited to serve on the RSPA board to help grow the next generation of racquet sports professionals through outreach, mentorship, and education especially among young players, women, and diverse communities while strengthening connections across the Intermountain tennis and racquet sports ecosystem.

KAREN SCHOTTVICE PRESIDENT

Giving back to a sport that has enriched my education, my career and my personal life is a privilege. I am excited to strengthen the relationships of tennis and pickleball professionals in our Division and to mentor young pros. If I can nurture the development of some dynamic young female pros, whichI feel our sport needs, I will be thrilled.

BRAD KNUTSONVICE PRESIDENT

I am very grateful for the opportunity to serve on the RSPA Intermountain Board and give back to the organization that has helped shape my career thus far. In this position, I feel I can help professionals connect, network, and continue to grow tennis in Montana.

MARSHALL CARPENTERREGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT

I want to serve on the RSPA Intermountain Board to give back to the organization that has shaped my career and to help strengthen the professional community for racquet sports directors and coaches in our region I am passionate about mentorship, education, and creating opportunities for professionals to grow both on and off the court.

MICHELLE RAWSTRONESECRETARY

Serving as District President, I’m driven by a passion for the sport that has enriched my life, a desire to give back, and the joy of learning alongside exceptional USPTA Professionals in the Intermountain area. Being inspired by new ideas to enhance and grow tennis is a continual source of motivation for me

MAL COYNE - VICE PRESIDENT

I joined the RSPA Intermountain board of directors to connect with fellow racquet sports professionals in my region, exchange knowledge, and collaborate on events This opportunity will help me grow as a Director of Racquet Sports while also strengthening the racquets community and professional network in Idaho.

KARL JONES - PAST PRESIDENT

Serving on the Board, for myself in particular, has been an effort to contribute to the industry in the most effective ways I know how, as this industry has given me so much Helping Intermountain tennis continue to grow, improve, and evolve with the times has been very satisfying to be a part of. Working with the tremendous people of the RSPA and USTA during my tenure, has been the icing on the cake.

Meet the Racquet Sports Professionals Association

Intermountain 2026 District Presidents

DAMON GILLETTE - COLORADO

I serve on the RSPA Board because I want to strengthen and support the organization that has impacted my tennis career in such a positive and influencing way

RICK WILSON - LAS VEGAS

TIM HOUGH - WYOMING

I have been coaching for about 10 years and I have been lucky enough to have some wonderful mentors to look up to and to learn from, but not everyone is as lucky as I was in this regard I want to join the RSPA Intermountain to help provide the resources and support system for other Wyoming coaches I also hope to learn more so that I can get the most out of my RSPA membership and can help others do the same

JOHN ARMSTRONG - IDAHO

I serve on the RSPA Board because I want to strengthen and support the organization that has impacted my tennis career in such a positive and influencing way.

BRAD KNUTSON - MONTANA

BRADY LEE - UTAH

Why did I want to join the RSPA? I’ve been wanting to get more involved with the RSPA for some time now, once we went to the world conference in Hawaii I got really excited about joining. I’m so passionate about tennis I want to help grow the sport in Utah anyway I can and I thought joining the RSPA would be a great opportunity to do that I think there’s a lot of work to be done to get everyone working together to make the sport even better here in Utah. I also was amazed at how awesome the people were in Hawaii when we met with all the intermountain members. I’m excited to get to know more people and build relationships and grow the sport together!

OURMISSION

To champion the passion for racquet sports by developing professionals who lead with integrity, innovate in coaching, and inspire a diverse and inclusive racquet sports community

OURVISION

To elevate careers in racquet sports with a certified professional on every court, inspiring people in every sport.

RSPA Intermountain

Past President

Karl Jones

Notes from our out going President

Happy New Year! I hope you all enjoyed the holiday season.

It has been an honor to serve as Intermountain President over the last two years. I have thoroughly enjoyed representing our membership and working with Leanne, current board and District Presidents. Thank you to the many members that were so supportive and encouraging as we embarked on a period of change with the RSPA. We wrapped up 2025 by welcoming new, bright professionals to the Board. I am so excited by the flow of talented individuals eager to step up and serve the people in our organization. We are in a strong financial position and welcome a 15% growth in membership to our division. This is exciting news as we have a plan with a specific avenue for Intermountain District to have financial sustainability for decades to come. Elevating our online presence and communications will continue, thanks largely to the work of our Executive Director, Leanne Palmisano. These tools help give members the ability to stay engaged in a District that covers six states. I love this organization and am so thankful for the opportunity to be part of it Our new President, Matt Helm, will continue to improve the quality of our networking and education opportunities, while managing financial budgets Our tradition of providing worldrenowned speakers at our Division Conference in February will continue The line-up in store for 2026 will provide yet another engaging and well-rounded list of topics Something we heard many times at the local and national level was to offer practical information professionals can use in their day-to-day jobs, especially those very active on the courts Dubbed, “What can I use on Monday?” was a question constantly asked when we put together the 2026 presentations. I am proud to be able to assist the board as much or as little as they want. They work extremely well together and make thorough and well thought out decisions that best serve the membership.

Lastly, let’s not forget that as members this is our organization. By working together, respecting and appreciating the staff as well as fellow members, we will make RSPA as enjoyable and successful as it possibly can be.

Have a great winter and stay warm!

Sincerely, Karl Jones

RSPA Intermountain

Executive Director

Leanne Palmisano

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE

As we look ahead to 2026, I want to extend my sincere thanks to Karl Jones, Josh Cossitt, Ginger Phillips, Scott Potter, and Andy Zodin for their many years of dedicated service to RSPA Intermountain Their hard work and commitment have made a lasting impact, and we are grateful for all they have contributed I’m also pleased to share that Karl Jones will continue to serve as Past President, and we appreciate his ongoing leadership and guidance

I look forward to working with the new board as we move into this next chapter together

If you have any news you would like to share with the division, such as job postings, promotions, tips, or upcoming events, please send it to me at leanne palmisano@rspa net

Please follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news and events

Hear from our In-Coming President Matt Helm

RSPA Intermountain

President

Matt Helm

My passion for tennis began 38 years ago when I was first introduced to the game as a player I immediately fell in love and discovered a sense of purpose I had never felt before. While in college, I was introduced to teaching at a nearby club and quickly realized I loved sharing the game with others just as much as playing it. Upon graduating, I became the full-time Head Tennis Professional and Coordinator in Grand Island, Nebraska without realizing at the time that this would become a lifelong career

After nearly 20 years of coaching, I transitioned into increased leadership and administrative roles, eventually becoming the Director of Racquet Sports at the Denver Country Club This shift allowed me to expand my impact beyond the court not only influencing players, but also mentoring and managing fellow professionals on a daily basis

Nearly 25 years ago when I moved back to Denver to join the DCC team, my Tennis Director, Karen Sather, required that I become certified through the RSPA (formerly the USPTA) That requirement led me to attend my first Intermountain RSPA Conference, which proved to be a defining moment in my career. The experience of networking with other teaching professionals, learning from the top pros in our industry, and feeling connected to a larger tennis community confirmed my passion for coaching and professional development That first conference has impacted me ever since

My involvement with the RSPA continued to grow over the years I was eventually approached by Intermountain RSPA Executive Director Tom Van De Hey and invited to join the Intermountain leadership team Through this role, I’ve come to deeply appreciate the mission of the RSPA supporting racquet sports professionals by providing education, networking, and benefits that elevate our careers, just as I experienced early on

Now, serving in a leadership role as Intermountain RSPA President, I am passionate about giving back and helping other professionals, managers, and industry leaders find the same inspiration, opportunity, and sense of community that shaped my career. The RSPA’s growth to include five racquet sports has created even greater excitement and opportunity for our profession Being involved with this organization allows me not only to impact the broader racquet sports community, but also to continue learning from it just as I did at my very first conference over 25 years ago

I would like to recognize my predecessor, Karl Jones, who did an incredible job leading our Intermountain team and community over the past two years His leadership, vision, and dedication created meaningful momentum and a strong foundation for our organization I am grateful for his example and am committed to building upon the positive path he established to ensure our Intermountain division continues to thrive. I am truly excited to step into this role and to work more closely with Executive Director Leanne Palmisano, whom I have known and respected for many years, as well as our Vice President, Marshall Carpenter I attended my very first Intermountain Conference with Marshall nearly 25 years ago while working at DCC, making this journey especially meaningful

I look forward to serving as President and collaborating with such a passionate and dedicated Intermountain team and community I encourage everyone to stay engaged, get involved, and participate as much as possible as we continue to grow and strengthen this incredible community of racquet sports professionals together

RSPA Intermountain District News

Happy New Year! I want to begin by thanking each of you for an incredible 2025. It was truly energizing to connect with so many of you throughout the year on court, at workshops, and in conversations that continue to strengthen our professional community. Your passion and commitment to growing racquet sports in Colorado and beyond are what make this role so rewarding.

We’re kicking off 2026 strong with our first RSPA event of the year at The Broadmoor on January 31. Contact Karen Schott for more details. Looking ahead, I’m excited to share that Denver’s first RSPA Workshop Forum of the year will take place on March 4 at Rolling Hills Country Club. More details will be released soon, but mark your calendars we’re putting together another impactful evening designed to support your growth and celebrate our shared commitment to this sport

Here’s to a strong start and a great year ahead See you soon!

The winter season has been exciting and productive for the RSPA Intermountain Idaho District. Our continued focus remains on coach education, player development, and strengthening the tennis community across the state.

Coaches Education & Workshops

High School / Middle School & Teaching Pros Workshop

On December20th, a three-hour workshop was held at the Boise Racquet& Swim Club (BRSC) for high school coaches, middle school coaches, and teaching professionals. The session featured 15 useful drills, teaching progressions, and detailed technique instruction. If you would like a video copy of the workshop, please contact johnarm21@hotmail.com.

Upcoming High School Workshop

Another high school coaches workshop will be led by legendary RSPA Pro Larry Haugness on January24th from 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM at BRSC. All high school coaches are encouraged to attend.

Junior Competition Highlight

4th Top Honors – All-Star Showdown

The All-Star Showdown was played over the holidays at BRSC featuring the 12 top-ranked boys and girls from the East and West This college-format team event was contested over two days Congratulations to the East boys and West girls, the big winners of this year’s event The camaraderie between teams and the level of competition were outstanding.

High School Tennis Season

High school tennis is scheduled to begin on February 27th and run through the middle of May Best of luck to all players and coaches

More Tournaments & Clinics

For additional adult and junior opportunities, please check the IDTA website for tournament listings, the Idaho Tennis website for statewide clinics, and the USTA website for adult and junior instructional programs

Colorado District President Damon Gillette

Idaho District President John Armstrong

IDAHO

Top Honors Team Idaho All-Star Showdown

RSPA Intermountain District News

On Saturday and Sunday, December 27th and 28th, Red Rock Country Club proudly hosted its first annual charity tennis event benefiting the American Cancer Society The tournament, named the Chris Gaynor Memorial Tournament, honored a beloved member of the Red Rock tennis community who passed away in 2022

The event was a team competition featuring three doubles lines, with four women’s teams representing multiple playing levels A total of 28 players participated, and each team played a minimum of three matches over the course of the weekend, creating a competitive yet supportive atmosphere that reflected the spirit of the Red Rock tennis community

On Saturday evening, all players gathered at the country club for a hosted dinner, providing an opportunity to celebrate, connect, and remember Chris Gaynor in a meaningful way.

Although small in its inaugural year, the tournament was a tremendous success, raising over $2,000 for the American Cancer Society. As an added recognition, the winning team received tickets to the American Cancer Society Banquet Room.

The Chris Gaynor Memorial Tournament marked a heartfelt beginning to what promises to become a cherished annual tradition at Red Rock Country Club combining friendly competition, community, and support for an important cause.

The pros in Montana are busy with all their indoor programs and tournaments scheduled for the first couple of months of the year.

I would like to thank the Intermountain RSPA Leadership and Board for their support of me and the inclusion of my thoughts within RSPA and its path and programming in the Intermountain section over the last six years.

Thanks, and all the best with the RSPA Intermountain section. The leadership group moving forward is in good hands, and I look forward to seeing my fellow professionals around the region and on the tennis courts

Montana District President Scott Potter

Nevada District President Pick Piliwale Wilson

RSPA Intermountain District News

Courts Are Buzzing Across the Intermountain

As the holidays fade into the rearview mirror, courts across the Intermountain are officially back in full swing and the energy is unmistakable. From tennis to pickleball and beyond, players of all ages are lacing up, grabbing racquets, and gearing up for exciting seasons ahead.

Adult league tennis players are back on court, shaking off the offseason rust and preparing for competitive spring and fall leagues. Practices are filling up, match play is increasing, and the familiar rhythm of league season is returning to facilities throughout the valley Alongside tennis, pickleball continues its impressive growth, with more players than ever participating in leagues and organized play The momentum behind racquet sports in our region has never been stronger

Adding to the excitement, the Intermountain racquet sports community is expanding even further with the upcoming opening of a new padel den in Utah County. This new facility will help round out our racquet sport offerings and introduce even more players to this fast-growing international game.

On the junior tennis front, the Intermountain is thrilled to once again host the annual Snowball L4 tournament for our junior players Utah Tennis does an exceptional job organizing and hosting this event, and we are incredibly grateful to the facilities throughout the valley that generously offer their courts to make this local L4 possible Providing high-quality competitive opportunities close to home is invaluable for junior development, and this event continues to be a highlight of the winter season.

Looking ahead to March, we are excited to welcome a very special guest to Springville. Former world No. 2 Brian Gottfried will be visiting on Friday, March 27th, to host both a junior clinic and an adult clinic. On Saturday, March 28th, the Intermountain will also host an RSPA Coaches Event featuring Brian Gottfried as a guest speaker. This is a unique opportunity to learn from one of the game’s greats, and we encourage all members to keep an eye out for more details coming soon With packed courts, growing programs, and exciting events on the horizon, the Intermountain racquet sports community is off to a fantastic start in 2026 We look forward to seeing everyone on court! ��

See 2025 event photos are on the next page Past

The 29th Annual Pete Cook Thanksgiving Tennis Classic hosted 125 players this year at Frontier Park Indoor Tennis in Cheyenne, WY The annual event is in honor of Pete Cook, who passed on Thanksgiving day 1995 A lifetime resident of Cheyenne, Wyoming, Pete was a tennis champion of and for the sport who played local, sectional, national and international tournaments including Wimbledon and the French Open Sportsmanship was Pete’s priority, remembered more for that than his play , so that is the focus of the tournament each year besides the competition The Sherry A Gibbens Sportsmanship Award was established this year in honor of another Cheyenne tennis matriarch whose Cheyenne tennis family continues her support and promotion of the benefits of tennis to health and community.

The tournament is definitely a vibe with more than just tennis providing the fun and energy! There is a catered dinner the first night, a thanksgiving lunch, snacks and beverages the whole time, doodle art, foosball, cards, watching football, photos, players gifts, Comea food drive and Cheyenne animal shelter drive and lots of socializing! The tournament prizes are pumpkin pies! Tournament directors Ginger and Mike Phillips (Ginger is Pete’s daughter) pair with the Cheyenne tennis community and FPIT directors Sheri and Roy Foster to make the event memorable! Past tournament directors and RSPA members have been Larry Haughness, Patrick Swafford and Josh Cossitt, who ran the tournament for 19 years and still continues to help!

The tournament is held the week before Thanksgiving each year and the 2026 tournament will be the 30th annual, so expect some fun and interesting additions!

Utah District President Michelle Rawstorne

RSPA Intermountain Happenings

Welcome New Members from December 2025

Nicholas Gabelman, Boise, ID

Bret Hansen, Greenwood, CO

Ivayla Mitkova, Helena MT

Gian Steenkamp, Parker CO

Mason Walker, Arvada CO

Level 1 Workshops

Level 1

January 24-25, 2026

Las Vegas, NV

Level 1

April 11-12, 2026 Denver, CO

Visit the RSPA for a list of Level 1

Virtual and InPerson Workshops

Level 2 Workshops

Pickleball Workshops

Level 2

Denver, CO

February 27,28 & March 1

Visit the RSPA for a list of Level 2

Virtual and InPerson Workshops

Visit the RSPA to register and for a full list of the Workshops

Padel Workshops

Visit the RSPA to register and for a full list of the Workshops

CENTHER COURT EVENT WRAP UP

A collaboration between RSPA Intermountain, USTA Colorado, USTA Intermountain and Women

Coaching Racquet Sports, CentHER Court brought together 70+ tennis coaches, administrators, leaders and advocates for a two-day women-focused conference in Denver in October. The USTA provided a significant grant to support the event. And what an event it was - the collective energy that was created at the conference was undeniable, and within a short amount of time, a community was created among attendees!

Increasing women’s presence at all levels of coaching as well in decision-making positions helps foster the long-term health, growth and sustainability of tennis The conference highlighted ways to create more equitable access to leadership roles and increasing visibility for female leaders in the industry. 100% of CentHER Court presenters were female.

Another focus was networking. Relationships were formed between women of varied experiences and years in the industry and several mentorship connections were created, providing the framework for continued support and professional growth and advancement.

Check out the photos and captions below and on the following pages to learn more about what happened on CentHER Court. Event photos courtesy of USTA Colorado’s Jackie Morganroth.

CentHER Court attendees gather for a photo before a networking reception after day one of activites

Women who Lead: In the Industry -

Moderator: Bethany Brookens

Leaders from the tennis industry shared their journeys and the impact they’re making. They discussed how they lead, influence change and help pave the way for the next generation of players, coaches, volunteers and professionals

Women who Lead: On and Around the Court - Panelists:

Moderator: Bethany Brookens

Leaders in tennis management shared their unique journeys and experiences in their respective roles. They shared insights on facing challenges and leading with confidence

Panelists: Kristine Johnson, Trish Faulkner, Angela Finan, Peg Connor

Bunny Bruning, Mai-Ly Tran, Erin Wilson, Karen Schott

Game, Set and Life: Coaching for a Lifetime of Flourishing - Dr. Sheila Ohlsson Walker

Tennis is more than just a game - it's a catalyst for lifelong health, well-being, character development, and confidence - especially for girls. In her talk, Dr. Sheila Ohlsson Walker shared how coaches hold the key to unlocking tennis as a superpower for flourishing, grounded in the latest developmental science.

She Can Coach: Helping Women in Tennis Reach Their Full Potential - Dr. Nicole M. LaVoi

Dr Nicole M LaVoi, Director of the Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport, shared insights from her research, education and advocacy on how to help women survive and thrive in the tennis industry.

Your Hero’s Journey: Empowering the Next Chapter On and Off the Court - Emma Doyle Emma Doyle closed CentHER Court by inviting attendees to step into their own hero’s journey by reflected on the conference through 3 gratitudes, 3 insights, and 3 actions to help stretch their comfort zone, empower their next chapter, and unleash their full potential.

Taking

Care of You: Skin Care - Dr Samantha Ghiselli, MD, FAAD

Dr. Samantha Ghiselli shared important information on skin care for women, particularly for those who spend a great deal of time outdoors and in the elements.

How I Built my Social Media Following - Peaches of @Peaches'nDiesel

In this entertaining session, conference emcee and funfluencer, Peaches of @Peaches'nDiesel, spilled the tea on how she grew her social media community from nothing to over 1 million followers across her platforms

During this on-court session, Christin Schumann demonstrated how to integrate triples into programming to boost

income.

Cardio Tennis Triples: Triple the Fun of Doubles! - Christin Schumann

engagement, fitness, player development and

Board of Directors

President

Regional VP

Treasurer

Secretary

Vice-President

Vice President

Past President

Matt Helm

Marshall Carpenter

Peg Connor

Michelle Rawstorne

Karen Schott

Mal Coyne

Brad Knutson

Karl Jones

District Presidents

Colorado

Idaho

Montana

Nevada

Utah Wyoming

Executive Director

Leanne Palmisano

Damon Gillette

John Armstrong

Brad Knutson

Rick Piliwale-Wilson

Brady Lee

Tim Hough

mhelm@denvercc.net

mcarpenter@pinehurstcountryclub.com

peg.connor@gmail.com

michelle.advantagetennisutah@gmail.com

kschott@broadmoor.com

Malachy@thevalleyclub.org

bradknutson28@gmail.com

KJones@theclubatrollinghills.org damon@denvertennisclub.com

johnarm21@hotmailcom

bradknutson28@gmailcom

rickw10spro@gmail.com

bradylee03@gmail.com

timhough1@gmail.com

Leanne.Palmisano@rspa.net

rspaintermountain.com